U.S. patent application number 15/970984 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-22 for vehicular lamp.
The applicant listed for this patent is Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Satoshi Kikuchi.
Application Number | 20180334085 15/970984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64270418 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180334085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ichikawa; Tomoyuki ; et
al. |
November 22, 2018 |
VEHICULAR LAMP
Abstract
A vehicular lamp of the present disclosure supports a light-on
mode for flickering a light source. A driving unit flickers the
light source. An abnormality circuit asserts an abnormality
detection signal while a predetermined state indicative of an
abnormality state is detected during the light-on of the light
source. A timer circuit (i) advances clocking while the abnormality
detection signal is asserted, during the light-on of the light
source, and resets clocking when the abnormality detection signal
is negated; (ii) maintains the clocked time during an immediately
preceding light-on period while the light source is turned off; and
(iii) asserts a fail signal when the clocked time reaches a
predetermined determination time.
Inventors: |
Ichikawa; Tomoyuki;
(Shizuoka-shi (Shizuoka), JP) ; Kikuchi; Satoshi;
(Shizuoka-shi (Shizuoka), JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
64270418 |
Appl. No.: |
15/970984 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 41/176 20180101;
H05B 47/10 20200101; G06K 9/00805 20130101; G06K 9/00791 20130101;
F21W 2102/13 20180101; F21S 45/70 20180101; G06K 9/2027 20130101;
H05B 45/50 20200101; B60Q 1/1415 20130101; F21W 2103/60
20180101 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 1/14 20060101
B60Q001/14; G06K 9/00 20060101 G06K009/00; H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; H05B 33/08 20060101 H05B033/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2017 |
JP |
2017-098230 |
Claims
1. A vehicular lamp comprising: a light source; a driving unit
configured to flicker the light source; an abnormality detection
unit configured to assert an abnormality detection signal while a
predetermined state indicative of an abnormality state is detected
during light-off of the light source; and a timer circuit
configured to: (i) advance clocking while the abnormality detection
circuit is asserted during light-on of the light source and reset
clocking when the abnormality detection signal is negated; (ii)
maintain clocked time in an immediately preceding light-on period,
during the light-off of the light source; and (iii) assert a fail
signal when the clocked time reaches a predetermined determination
time.
2. The vehicular lamp of claim 1, wherein the light source
includes: a semiconductor light source configured to emit
excitation light; and a phosphor excited by the excitation light to
emit fluorescence, and the light source is configured to generate
white output light including spectrums of the excitation light and
the fluorescence, and the abnormality state is leakage of the
excitation light.
3. The vehicular lamp of claim 1, wherein the timer circuit
includes: a capacitor; a charging/discharging circuit configured to
charge the capacitor while the abnormality detection signal is
asserted during the light-on of the light source, and discharge the
capacitor when the abnormality detection signal is negated during
the light-on of the light source; and a comparator configured to
compare a voltage of the capacitor with a predetermined threshold
value.
4. The vehicular lamp of claim 2, wherein the timer circuit
includes: a capacitor; a charging/discharging circuit configured to
charge the capacitor while the abnormality detection signal is
asserted during the light-on of the light source, and discharge the
capacitor when the abnormality detection signal is negated during
the light-on of the light source; and a comparator configured to
compare a voltage of the capacitor with a predetermined threshold
value.
5. The vehicular lamp of claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection
circuit includes: a counter having a clock input terminal and a
clear terminal; and a counter controller configured to supply a
clock signal to the clock input terminal while the abnormality
detection signal is asserted during the light-on of the light
source, and supply a clear signal to the clear terminal when the
predetermined state is not detected during the light-on of the
light source.
6. The vehicular lamp of claim 2, wherein the abnormality detection
circuit includes: a counter having a clock input terminal and a
clear terminal; and a counter controller configured to supply a
clock signal to the clock input terminal while the abnormality
detection signal is asserted during the light-on of the light
source, and supply a clear signal to the clear terminal when the
predetermined state is not detected during the light-on of the
light source.
7. The vehicular lamp of claim 1, wherein the light source is used
for road surface marking.
8. The vehicular lamp of claim 1, wherein the light source is
commonly used for road marking and for distance-illumination high
beam.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-098230, filed on May 17, 2017,
with the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a vehicular lamp.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Recently, semiconductor light sources such as high-luminance
laser diodes (LDs) and light-emitting didoes (LEDs) are used for a
vehicular lamp. By using high-luminance light sources, it is
possible to form a light distribution pattern that may enhance
visibility and hence safety.
[0004] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating an example of a light
distribution pattern using a high-luminance light source. It
becomes possible to brighten a local area 700 at a distant location
using a beam with a high directivity such as a laser. Visibility
may be improved by irradiating a distance irradiation region 700
(referred to as a distance illumination high beam or an additional
high beam) in addition to an illumination region 702 of the low
beam and an illumination region 704 of the high beam during high
speed traveling.
[0005] FIG. 1B is a view illustrating another example of a light
distribution pattern using a high-luminance light source. By using
a high-luminance light source, it becomes possible to draw figure
information 712 such as a shape or a character on a road surface
710 at an illuminance higher than that of the illumination region
702 of the low beam (road surface marking). The figure information
712 may indicate the position of a walker 720 for the purpose of
drawing attention to a driver, and may also inform the walker 720
of the approach of the vehicle. In addition, the figure information
712 may be used to trace a line that the vehicle has to travel, or
to indicate the traveling direction at an intersection or a branch
path based on navigation information. See, for example, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-233305 and Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-058370.
SUMMARY
[0006] The inventors of the present disclosure have been aware of
the following problems as a result of reviewing the above-described
vehicular lamps.
[0007] When an abnormality occurs in a high-luminance light source
used for a distance-illumination high beam or road surface marking,
the surrounding is dazzled. Therefore, an abnormality detection
circuit may be provided to monitor the presence or absence of an
abnormality of the high-luminance light source, so that an
appropriate protection processing may be performed when an
abnormality state is detected.
[0008] In order to suppress erroneous detection of the abnormality
state by noise, the abnormality detection circuit measures the
duration time of a predetermined state indicative of the
abnormality state by a timer circuit, and when the predetermined
state lasts for a predetermined determination time, the abnormality
detection circuit determines that an abnormality state occurs. From
the viewpoint of suppressing dazzling by a high-luminance light
source, the determination time may be set to be shorter than the
reaction time (up to 250 ms) required for a person to feel glare
and close the eyes. It is assumed that the determination time is
set to, for example, 200 ms.
[0009] It is assumed that the abnormality detection circuit may
detect the above-described predetermined state indicative of the
abnormality state of the high-luminance light source with high
accuracy only during the light-on of the high-luminance light
source. When the detection accuracy deteriorates during the
light-off period, it may be erroneously determined that a
predetermined state has occurred even though the predetermined
state has not occurred yet. This problem may be solved by forcibly
determining that the predetermined state does not occur during the
light-off period of the high-luminance light source, and resetting
the timer circuit.
[0010] However, in road surface marking, it is effective to flicker
figure information 712 drawn on a road surface in order to draw a
stronger attention. For example, when the flickering is performed
with several Hz, light-on time T.sub.ON becomes shorter than the
determination time (200 ms). For example, when the flickering is
performed with 4 Hz, the light-on time and the light-off time each
become 125 ms. In this case, even when an abnormality occurs in the
high-luminance light source, the reset of the timer circuit is
repeated during the light-off period, so that the protection
processing may not be performed.
[0011] The present disclosure has been made in view of the
above-described problem. One of the exemplary objects of the
present disclosure is to provide a light-on circuit capable of
detecting an abnormality even when the light source is
flickered.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicular
lamp. The vehicular lamp includes: a light source; a driving unit
configured to flicker the light source; an abnormality detection
unit configured to assert an abnormality detection signal while a
predetermined state indicative of an abnormality state is detected
during light-off of the light source; and a timer circuit
configured to: (i) advance clocking while the abnormality detection
circuit is asserted during light-on of the light source and reset
clocking when the abnormality detection signal is negated; (ii)
maintain clocked time in an immediately preceding light-on period,
during the light-off of the light source; and (iii) assert a fail
signal when the clocked time reaches a predetermined determination
time.
[0013] According to the aspect, even when the light-on time is
shorter than the determination time, the abnormality state may be
reliably detected.
[0014] The light source may include a semiconductor light source
configured to emit excitation light and a phosphor excited by the
excitation light to emit fluorescence, and the light source may be
configured to generate white output light including spectrums of
the excitation light and the fluorescence, and the abnormality
state may be leakage of the excitation light.
[0015] The abnormality state may be either a short and open of a
light source, or a short and open of an output of a drive unit.
[0016] The drive unit may stop energizing the light source when the
fail signal is asserted. This may quickly stop the emission of the
light source.
[0017] The timer circuit may include: a capacitor; a
charging/discharging circuit configured to charge the capacitor
while the abnormality detection signal is asserted during the
light-on of the light source, and discharge the capacitor when the
abnormality detection signal is negated during the light-on of the
light source; and a comparator configured to compare a voltage of
the capacitor with a predetermined threshold value.
[0018] The abnormality detection circuit may include: a counter
having a clock input terminal and a clear terminal; and a counter
controller configured to supply a clock signal to the clock input
terminal while the abnormality detection signal is asserted during
the light-on of the light source, and supply a clear signal to the
clear terminal when the predetermined state is not detected during
the light-on of the light source.
[0019] The light source may be used for road surface marking.
[0020] The light source may be commonly used for road marking and
for distance-illumination high beam. An abnormality state may also
be detected when the light source is continuously turned on as a
distance-illumination high beam.
[0021] In the meantime, any combination of the above-described
components or replacement of the components or expressions of the
present disclosure among, for example, a method, a device, and a
system is also effective as an aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0022] In addition, the description of this item (the means for
solving the problem) does not explain all the features that are
essential for the present disclosure. Therefore, the
sub-combinations of the described features may be the present
disclosure.
[0023] According to the present disclosure, an abnormality may be
detected even when the light source is flickered.
[0024] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative
aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating an example of a light
distribution pattern using a high-luminance light source.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lamp system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
configuration example of a light source unit.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an abnormality detection
operation by a vehicular lamp.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a timer circuit.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating another
configuration example of the timer circuit.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the corresponding relationship
among a first control signal, a second control signal, and a
plurality of modes or functions.
[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B are operation waveform diagrams of a first
light-on mode of the vehicular lamp of FIG. 2.
[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B are operation waveform diagrams of a second
light-on mode of the vehicular lamp of FIG. 2.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a control unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The
illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description,
drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented
here.
[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Equal or
equivalent components, members, and processes illustrated in each
of the drawings will be denoted by the same symbols, and
overlapping descriptions thereof will be appropriately omitted.
Further, the embodiment is not intended to limit the present
disclosure thereto, but is illustrative of the present disclosure.
All the features described in the embodiment or combinations
thereof are not necessarily essential for the present
disclosure.
[0037] In the present specification, "a state in which member A is
connected with member B" includes a case where the members A and B
are indirectly connected with each other without substantially
affecting the electrical connecting state therebetween, a case
where the members A and B are indirectly connected with each other
without impairing a function or effect to be exhibited by a
combination of these members, and a case where the members A and B
are indirectly connected with each other via other members, in
addition to a case where the members A and B are physically
directly connected with each other.
[0038] Similarly, "a state in which member C is installed between
member A and member B" includes a case where the members C and A or
the members C and B are indirectly connected with each other
without substantially affecting the electrical connecting state
therebetween, a case where the members C and A or the members C and
B are indirectly connected with each other without impairing a
function or effect to be exhibited by a combination of these
members, and a case where the members C and A or the members C and
B are indirectly connected with each other via other members, in
addition to a case where the members A and C or the members B and C
are directly connected with each other.
[0039] Also, in the present specification, symbols denoted for
electrical signals such as voltage signals and current signals, or
circuit elements such as resistors and capacitors may indicate a
voltage value, a current value, a resistor value, or a capacity
value of each of them.
[0040] The vertical and horizontal axes of the waveform diagrams
and time charts referred to in the present specification are
appropriately enlarged and reduced for easy understanding, and the
waveforms illustrated are also simplified, exaggerated, or
emphasized for easy understanding.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lamp system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. The lamp system 1 includes a
battery 2, a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) 4, and a
vehicular lamp 10. The vehicular lamp 10 provides an additional
high beam and the road surface marking function illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 2 illustrates only functional blocks
associated with this function, and the functional blocks relating
to the low beam and the high beam are omitted.
[0042] The vehicular lamp 10 includes a lamp ECU 100, a light
source unit 200, and a light-on circuit 300. The lamp ECU 100
mainly includes a switch 102 and a controller 104. The controller
104 is connected to the vehicle ECU 4 through a network 6 such as a
controller area network (CAN) or a local interconnect network
(LIN). The controller 104, which is a CPU, a microcontroller, or
the like, receives a light-on/light-off instruction, vehicle speed
information, camera information, and the like from the vehicle ECU
4, and controls the switch 102 and the light source unit 200 based
on the received signal.
[0043] The switch 102 is provided on a supply path of the power
supply voltage (the battery voltage V.sub.BAT) from the battery 2
to the light-on circuit 300. When the controller 104 receives an
on-command from the vehicle ECU 4, the switch 102 is turned on.
[0044] The source unit 200 includes a light source 202, a cooling
fan 204, an actuator 206, a slit 208, a temperature detection
element 210, an abnormality detection circuit 212, and a timer
circuit 214. The light source 202 is a semiconductor light source
such as a laser diode or an LED. The cooling fan 204 air-cools the
light source 202. The temperature detecting element 210 is a
thermistor, a thermocouple, or the like, and detects the
temperature of the light source 202.
[0045] The lamp ECU 100 supports a plurality of light-on modes. In
the present embodiment, the light-on modes may be switched
depending on the state of the actuator 206. For example, a slit 208
is provided in the actuator 206, and the plurality of light-on
modes may be switched depending on the position of the slit 208.
Alternatively, the actuator 206 may control the position of the
light source 202 and the lens or mirror of an optical system (not
illustrated), or the inclination thereof so as to switch the
plurality of light-on modes.
[0046] One of the light-on modes is accompanied by flickering of
the light source 202, for example, road surface marking. Another
one of the light-on modes is, for example, a distance-illumination
high beam.
[0047] The light-on circuit 300 includes a control unit 302 and a
drive unit 310. The control unit 302 controls the drive unit 310
based on control signals Sig1 and Sig2 from the controller 104.
Also, the control unit 302 outputs a diagnostic signal DIAG
indicating the diagnosis result of the light source unit 200 and
the light-on circuit 300 (presence or absence of abnormality) to
the controller 104.
[0048] The drive unit 310 includes a switching converter 312, a fan
controller 314, a solenoid drive circuit 316, and a protection
switch 318. The switching converter 312 has a constant current
output and generates a drive current I.sub.OUT stabilized at a
target current I.sub.REF so as to supply the drive current
I.sub.OUT to the light source 202. The fan controller 314 drives
the cooling fan 204. For example, the actuator 206 is a solenoid
actuator, and a solenoid drive circuit (actuator drive circuit) 316
drives the actuator 206. The protection switch 318 is provided on
the path of the drive current I.sub.OUT and is off when an
abnormality is detected.
[0049] The vehicular lamp 10 has a fail-safe function. The
abnormality detection circuit 212 and the timer circuit 214 are
provided in association with the fail-safe function. The
abnormality detection circuit 212 monitors an abnormality state
occurring in the vehicular lamp 10. The abnormality detection
circuit 212 asserts the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 while
a predetermined state indicative of the abnormality state is
detected during the light-on of the light source 202.
[0050] For example, the light source 202 may be a white light
source including a blue laser and a phosphor. The emitted light
(excitation light) of the blue laser is incident on the phosphor
and synthesized with the yellow light generated by the phosphor to
generate white light.
[0051] Normally, the blue laser is scattered by the phosphor. In
the meantime, when the phosphor disappears from the optical axis of
the blue laser, or when the influence of the aging changes becomes
noticeable, the raw blue laser light will be emitted without
scattering (i.e., a light leakage abnormality) and the surrounding
may be dazzled. The abnormality detection circuit 212 may monitor
the light leakage abnormality. In addition, the abnormality
detection circuit 212 may detect abnormality or the like of the
optical axis of the light source 202.
[0052] The abnormality detection circuit 212 may be provided at a
place where an abnormality of the object to be detected can be
easily detected and the abnormality detection circuit 212 may be
provided in the light source unit 200 when an object to be detected
is a light leakage abnormality. The configuration of the
abnormality detection circuit 212 is not particularly limited.
However, for example, the circuit described in Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-058370 may be used.
[0053] The timer circuit 214 generates a fail signal S.sub.2 based
on the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 generated by the
abnormality detection circuit 212. The timer circuit 214 (i)
advances clocking while the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is
asserted during the light-on of the light source 202, and resets
clocking when the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is negated.
In addition, the timer circuit 214 maintains (ii) the time clocked
in the immediately preceding light-on period, during the light-off
of the light source 202. The timer circuit 214 (iii) also asserts
the fail signal S.sub.2 when the clocked time reaches a
predetermined determination time T.sub.0. The timer circuit 214 may
be provided in the light source unit 200 or may be configured as a
portion of the control unit 302 on the light-on circuit 300
side.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
configuration example of a light source unit 200. The mirror 220
and the lens 222 reflect and collect the light emitted from the
light source 202 so as to adjust the diffusion angle and the
optical axis of the emitted light. The slit 208 is provided between
the mirror 220 and the lens 222. The actuator 206 changes the
position of the slit 208 to positions 208A and 208B in FIG. 3. For
example, in the non-energized state of the actuator 206, the
position of the slit 208 is 208 A. At this time, the reflected
light of the mirror 220 passes through the slit 208 to form a light
distribution pattern suitable for road surface marking. When
current is supplied to the solenoid of the actuator 206 (energized
state), the position of the slit 208 changes to 208B, and the slit
208 does not act on the light. The light distribution of the
distance-illumination high beam is also formed.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an abnormality detection
operation by a vehicular lamp 10. The vehicular lamp 10 operates in
a light-on mode in which the light source 202 is flickered (e.g.,
road surface marking), and the light source 202 repeats the
light-on period T.sub.ON and the light-off period T.sub.OFF at a
predetermined cycle.
[0056] During the period from time t.sub.0 to time t.sub.1, the
abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is asserted (indicated as a
high level in this case) even when light leakage abnormality does
not occur due to the influence of noise. The timer circuit 214
clocks a period during which the abnormality detection signal
S.sub.1 is asserted. When the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1
is negated (becomes a low level) at time t.sub.1, the clocked time
T is reset to zero.
[0057] When a light leakage abnormality occurs in the light source
202 at time t.sub.2, the abnormality detection circuit 212 asserts
the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1. The timer circuit 214
advances clocking while the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is
asserted during the light-on period T.sub.ON, and the clocked time
T increases.
[0058] During the light-off period from time t.sub.3 to time
t.sub.4, the clocked time T is maintained at the final value
.tau..sub.1 of the immediately preceding light-on period. The state
of the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 during the light-off
period does not ask whether it is asserted or negated.
[0059] When the next light-on period is initiated at time t.sub.4,
the timer circuit 214 resumes clocking from the clocked time
.tau..sub.1 that has been held. During the light-off period from
time t.sub.5 to t.sub.6, the clocked time T=.tau..sub.1+.tau..sub.2
is held. When the next light-on period is initiated at time
t.sub.6, the timer circuit 214 resumes clocking from the clocked
time .tau..sub.1+.tau..sub.2 that has been held. Further, at time
t.sub.7, when the clocked time T reaches a determination threshold
value T.sub.0, the fail signal S.sub.2 is asserted, the driving of
the light source 202 is stopped, and the light emission is
stopped.
[0060] The operation of the vehicular lamp 10 has been described
above. With the vehicular lamp 10, even when an abnormality occurs
while the light source 202 is flickered, the abnormality may be
reliably detected and the light emission of the light source 202
may be stopped. Further, when the abnormality detection signal
S.sub.1 is erroneously asserted due to noise during normal
operation, the fail signal S.sub.2 is not asserted erroneously, and
the light emission of the light source 202 may be kept.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration
example 214A of a timer circuit 214. The timer circuit 214A
includes a capacitor C.sub.1, a charging/discharging circuit 216,
and a comparator 215.
[0062] One end of the capacitor C.sub.1 is grounded. The charging
and discharging circuit 216 charges the capacitor C.sub.1 while the
abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is asserted (at a low level in
this example) during the light-on of the light source 202, and
discharges the capacitor C.sub.1 when the abnormality detection
signal S.sub.1 is negated (at a high level in this example) during
the light-on of the light source 202.
[0063] The charging/discharging circuit 216 includes a charge
resistor R.sub.1, a charging switch SW.sub.1, a discharging switch
SW.sub.2, a reset switch SW.sub.3, an inverter 217A, and a NAND
gate 217B. A light-on/light-off instructing signal S.sub.3 is at a
high level (H) during the light-on period and at a low level (L)
during the light-off period. A mode control signal S4 is at a high
level when the road surface marking mode is valid, and at a low
level when it is invalid. The inverter 217A inverts the
light-on/light-off instructing signal S.sub.3. The NAND gate 217B
generates a negative logical product of the mode control signal
S.sub.4 and the output of the inverter 217A. The charging switch
SW.sub.1 is provided in series with the charge resistor R.sub.1
between a power supply line V.sub.DD and the capacitor C.sub.1. The
charging switch SW.sub.1 is on when the output of the NAND gate
217B is at a high level, and off when the output is at a low level.
Thus, when the road surface marking mode is valid, and the light-on
period occurs, the capacitor C.sub.1 becomes chargeable.
[0064] One end of the discharging switch SW.sub.2 is grounded, and
the other end thereof is connected to a connection node between the
charging resistor R.sub.1 and the charging switch SW.sub.1. The
discharging switch SW.sub.2 is on when the abnormality detection
signal S.sub.1 is at a high level (i.e., the abnormality detection
signal S.sub.1 is normal), and the capacitor C.sub.1 is not
charged. When the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is at a low
level (i.e., in a predetermined state indicative of the
abnormality), the discharging switch SW.sub.2 is off and the
capacitor C.sub.1 is charged through the charging switch SW.sub.1
and the resistor R.sub.1. The reset switch SW.sub.3 is on in
response to a power-on reset signal and discharges the charge on
the capacitor C.sub.1. The configuration of the
charging/discharging circuit 216 is not limited to that illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0065] The comparator 215 compares voltage V.sub.C1 of the
capacitor C.sub.1 with a predetermined threshold value V.sub.TH.
The output of the comparator 215 corresponds to the fail signal
S.sub.2. When V.sub.C1>V.sub.TH, the output of the comparator
215 becomes a low level. The threshold voltage V.sub.TH may be
generated by dividing the power supply voltage by resistance.
[0066] In the timer circuit 214, the voltage V.sub.C1 of the
capacitor C.sub.1 corresponds to the clocked time T, and the
threshold voltage V.sub.TH corresponds to the determination
threshold value T.sub.0.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating another
configuration example 214B of the timer circuit 214. The timer
circuit 214B includes a counter 218 and a counter controller 219.
The counter 218 has a clock input terminal CK and a clear terminal
CLR. In this example, the counter 218 has 6 bits.
[0068] The counter controller 219 supplies the clock signal CLK to
the clock input terminal CK of the counter 218 while the
abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 is asserted during the
light-on of the light source 202. Also, when the abnormality
detection signal S.sub.1 is negated during the light-on of the
light source 202, a high level clear signal S.sub.5 is supplied to
the clear terminal CLR of the counter 218.
[0069] The timer circuit 214B asserts the fail signal S.sub.2 (in
this example, at a low level) when the highest bit Q6 of the
counter 218 is set to 1.
[0070] The configuration of the counter controller 219 is not
particularly limited and may be configured by a combination circuit
so that the above-described functions may be implemented. The
inverter 217A and the NAND gate 217B correspond to those in FIG. 5.
An inverter 217D inverts the highest bit Q6 of the count value of
the counter 218. An AND gate 217E is a mask circuit that passes the
clock signal CLK when Q6 is at a low level and the output of NAND
gate 217B is at a high level. Otherwise, the AND gate 217E masks
the clock signal CLK. The OR gate 217C generates a logical sum of
the abnormality detection signal S.sub.1 and the power reset signal
POR so as to supply the generated logical sum to the clear terminal
of the counter 218.
[0071] With the timer circuit 214B, the fail signal S.sub.2 may be
generated in accordance with the state of the counter 218 (the
highest bit).
[0072] The abnormality to be monitored by the abnormality detection
circuit 212 is not limited to the light leakage abnormality. For
example, the abnormality detection circuit 212 may detect a
short-circuit abnormality of the light source 202, an open
abnormality thereof, an over-voltage abnormality of the drive unit
310, an over-current abnormality thereof, and the like.
[0073] FIG. 2 is referred to again. Next, an interface between the
control unit 302 and the controller 104 will be described. The
control unit 302 receives the first control signal Sig1 and the
second control signal Sig2 via two control lines 12 and 14, and
selects one of the light-off mode and the plurality of light-on
modes based on the first control signal Sig1 and the second control
signal Sig2. The drive unit 310 drives the light source unit 200
according to the mode selected by the control unit 302.
[0074] Thus, a plurality of modes may be selected with the two
control lines 12 and 14, regardless of the number of the light-on
modes.
[0075] The control unit 302 selects the light-off mode when at
least one of the first control signal Sig1 and the second control
signal Sig2 is a non-pulse signal. In the light-off mode, the
target current I.sub.REF of the switching converter 312 is set to
zero, and the drive current I.sub.OUT becomes zero. The protection
switch 318 may be off in the light-off mode.
[0076] When a ground fault or a fault in the control lines 12 and
14 or an abnormality in the output interface of the controller 104
occurs, at least one of the potentials of the control lines 12 and
14 is fixed and the pulse signal cannot be propagated, it is
ensured that the light-off mode is necessarily selected, so that
the light source 202 may be off and the fail-safe function may be
enhanced.
[0077] The control unit 302 selects one of a plurality of light-on
modes based on the combination of the duty ratio of the first
control signal Sig1 and the second control signal Sig2 when both
the first control signal Sig1 and the second control signal Sig2
are pulse signals. The frequencies of the first control signal Sig1
and the second control signal Sig2 may be constant, for example,
about 200 Hz.
[0078] The control unit 302 selects a first light-on mode MODE1
when the duty ratio of the first control signal Sig1 is included in
a first range (e.g., 40% to 80%), and selects a second light-on
mode MODE2 when the duty ratio of the first control signal Sig1 is
in a second range (20% to 40%).
[0079] When the state of the actuator 206 changes in accordance
with the light-on mode, the control unit 302 gives a different
control command to the solenoid drive circuit 316 for each
mode.
[0080] As an example, the first light-on mode is the
distance-illumination mode described with reference to FIG. 1A, and
the second light-on mode is the road surface marking mode described
with reference to FIG. 1B. Hereinafter, such a case will be
described.
[0081] The duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2 may be used
to control parameters other than the light-on mode. For example, in
the second light-on mode, when the duty ratio of the second control
signal Sig2 is included in the first range (e.g., 0% to 20%), the
control unit 302 supplies the drive current I.sub.OUT to the light
source 202 so as to light the light source 202. When the duty ratio
of the control signal Sig2 is included in the second range (e.g.,
80% to 100%), the drive current I.sub.OUT may be set to zero so as
to turn off the light source 202. In the first light-on mode, the
duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2 may be masked.
[0082] That is, the light source 202 may be flickered by
alternating the duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2
between the first range and the second range in the second light-on
mode (road surface marking mode).
[0083] In the first light-on mode, the drive unit 310 may gradually
turn on/turn off the light source 202. Specifically, upon receiving
a lighting-on command, the drive unit 310 gradually increases the
drive current I.sub.OUT with time so as to gradually increase
luminance. However, when the drive unit 310 receives the light-off
instruction, the drive unit 310 may gradually decrease the drive
current I.sub.OUT with time so as to gradually decrease luminance.
A sense of quality may be created by using the change in luminance
of the light source 202.
[0084] Further, the drive unit 310 may instantaneously turn off the
light source 202 when the duty ratio of the first control signal
Sig1 is included in a third range adjacent to the first range
(e.g., 80% to 100%). In the first light-on mode
(distance-illumination mode), in order to suppress dazzling of the
preceding vehicle or the opposite vehicle by the beam, when the
preceding vehicle is detected, it is requested that the light
source 202 be turned off instantaneously, rather than gradually.
Therefore, the safety may be further improved by assigning a
portion of the duty ratio of the first control signal Sig1 to the
instantaneous light-off.
[0085] A third light-on mode MODE3 may also be added. When the duty
ratio of the first control signal Sig1 is in a fourth range (e.g.,
0% to 20%), the third light-on mode MODE3 may be selected.
[0086] Since the light source 202 has a high luminance, when the
vehicle is stopped (or running at low rate), the surroundings are
strongly dazzled. Therefore, the controller 104 is designed to
monitor the vehicle speed and select the first light-on mode (the
distance-illumination mode) and the second light-on mode (the road
surface marking mode) only when the vehicle speed is equal to or
greater than a predetermined value. In this case, there is a
problem that when the vehicle is stopped, the light source 202
cannot be turned on for the purpose of maintenance or the like.
Therefore, the third light-on mode MODE3 capable of turning on the
light source 202 (referred to as a "maintenance mode") may be
provided even when the vehicle is stopped. This makes it possible
to perform maintenance.
[0087] As described above, the drive unit 310 gradually turns on
the light source 202 in the first light-on mode MODE1. However, in
the third light-on mode MODE3, the light source 202 may be turned
on at a speed slower than the first light-on mode MODE1.
[0088] There is a delayed response to the abnormality detection of
the light source 202 in the abnormality detection circuit 212. By
slowing the rate of increase in luminance, the increase extent in
the luminance of the light source during the delayed response may
be made small, so that the light source may be turned off at a
smaller luminance when an abnormality has occurred.
[0089] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the corresponding relationship
among a first control signal Sig1, a second control signal Sig2,
and a plurality of modes or functions.
[0090] FIGS. 8A and 8B are operation waveform diagrams of a first
light-on mode of the vehicular lamp of FIG. 2. FIG. 8A is referred
to. Before time t.sub.0, the light source 202 is turned off. When
the first control signal Sig1 and the second control signal Sig2
having a duty ratio of 50% are given at time t.sub.0, the control
unit 302 determines that the control signals are in the first
light-on mode MODE1. During this time, the second control signal
Sig2 may be non-pulsing and does not need to be 80% to 100%. The
switching converter 312 sets the drive current I.sub.OUT at a first
rate (e.g., a time constant of 0.8 seconds). As a result, the light
source 202 is turned on slowly (gradual light-on), thereby
suppressing rapid changes in luminance, suppressing dazzling of an
operator and the surroundings, and creating a sense of quality.
[0091] When at least one of the first control signal Sig1 and the
second control signal Sig2 is changed to non-pulse at time t.sub.1,
the control unit 302 determines that it is in the light-off mode,
decreases the output current I.sub.OUT at the first rate, and
gradually turned off the light source 202.
[0092] FIG. 8B is referred to. Before time t.sub.2, the light
source unit 200 is turned on in the first light-on mode. At time
t.sub.2, when a preceding vehicle is detected, the duty ratio of
the first control signal Sig1 is changed to 90%. Then, the control
unit 302 sets the output current I.sub.OUT of the switching
converter 312 to zero in a time shorter than the time of the
gradual light-off. Thus, the light source 202 may be
instantaneously turned off, thereby suppressing dazzling of the
preceding vehicle.
[0093] FIGS. 9A and 9B are operation waveform diagrams of a second
light-on mode of the vehicular lamp of FIG. 2. FIG. 9A is referred
to. Before time t.sub.0, the light source 202 is turned off. When
the first control signal Sig1 having a duty ratio of 25% and the
second control signal Sig2 having a duty ratio of 90% are given at
time t.sub.0, the control unit 302 determines that the control
signals are in the second light-on mode MODE2. The switching
converter 312 increases the drive current I.sub.OUT at a rate
faster than the first rate (e.g., a time constant of 0.8 seconds).
Thus, the light source 202 is instantaneously lit, and appropriate
figure information is drawn on the road surface.
[0094] When at least one of the first control signal Sig1 and the
second control signal Sig2 is changed to a non-pulse at time
t.sub.1, the control unit 302 determines that the control signals
are in the light-off mode. Also, the output current I.sub.OUT is
decreased at a rate higher than the first rate, and the light
source 202 is instantaneously turned off.
[0095] FIG. 9B is referred to. Before time t.sub.2, the light
source unit 200 is turned on in the second light-on mode. After
time t.sub.2, the duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2 is
changed to two values of 90% and 10% at a predetermined flickering
cycle (e.g., 0.3 seconds). Thus, the light source 202 may be
flickered.
[0096] A pulse for flickering control may be generated using the
oscillator of the vehicular lamp so as to flicker the light source.
However, in this method, the light sources in the right lamp and
the left lamp are flickered asynchronously. As described here, it
becomes possible to synchronize the flickering operations of the
left and right lamps by superimposing control information for
flickering on the second control signal Sig2.
[0097] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of a control unit 302. A first input buffer 350 and a
second input buffer 352 receive the first control signal Sig1 and
the second control signal Sig2, respectively. A first pulse
detector 354 determines whether the first control signal Sig1 is a
pulse signal or a non-pulse signal. When the first control signal
Sig1 is a pulse signal, the first pulse detector 354 generates a
first determination signal S.sub.31 at a first level (e.g., high
level), and when the first control signal Sig1 is a non-pulse
signal, the first pulse detector 354 generates a first
determination signal S.sub.31 at a second level (e.g., low level).
That is, the first pulse detector 354 determines whether the edge
of the first control signal Sig1 is input at a predetermined cycle
(e.g., 200 Hz).
[0098] A dimming circuit 370 generates a signal V.sub.SS that
defines a target value I.sub.REF of the output current I.sub.OUT of
the switching converter 312. An output buffer 380 generates the
target value I.sub.REF of the drive current I.sub.OUT in response
to the signal V.sub.SS.
[0099] The dimming circuit 370 includes a gradual
light-on/light-off circuit. In the first light-on mode, the signal
V.sub.SS is gradually increased at the start of light-on, and the
signal V.sub.SS is gradually decreased at the light-off time. For
example, the dimming circuit 370 may include a capacitor 372, a
charging circuit 374, and a discharging circuit 376. The charging
circuit 374 and the discharging circuit 376 are indicated by a
symbol of the current source. However, the configuration of the
charging circuit 374 and the discharging circuit 376 is not
limited, and may be a resistor or a switch.
[0100] The first determination signal S.sub.31 is supplied to at
least one of blocks of the control unit 302 so that the target
current I.sub.REF becomes zero when the first determination signal
S.sub.31 is at a low level. For example, the first determination
signal S.sub.31 is supplied to the dimming circuit 370. When the
first determination signal S.sub.31 becomes a low level, the
dimming circuit 370 may set the signal V.sub.SS to zero.
[0101] A second pulse detector 356 determines whether the second
control signal Sig2 is a pulse signal or a non-pulse signal, and
generates a determination signal S.sub.32 indicating a
determination result. The determination signal S.sub.32 is used to
control the protection switch 318 in FIG. 2. When the second
control signal Sig2 is a pulse signal, the determination signal
S.sub.32 becomes a high level, and the protection switch 318 is on.
When the second control signal Sig2 is a non-pulse signal, the
determination signal S.sub.32 becomes a low level, the protection
switch 318 is off, and the light-off mode is selected.
[0102] For example, the pulse detectors 354 and 356 may be
configured by a one-shot multivibrator that may be retriggered, but
are not limited thereto.
[0103] A smoothing circuit 358 is a low-pass filter for smoothing
the first control signal Sig1 and generates a detection voltage
V.sub.DUTY1 corresponding to the duty ratio of the first control
signal Sig1. The smoothing circuit 358 is configured to be turned
on and off in response to the first determination signal S.sub.31.
When the first determination signal S.sub.31 is at a high level,
the detection voltage V.sub.DUTY1 is generated. When the first
determination signal S.sub.31 is at a low level, the detection
voltage V.sub.DUTY1 is set to zero.
[0104] A first comparator COMP1 to a third comparator COMP3 compare
the detection voltage V.sub.DUTY1 with threshold values V.sub.80%,
V.sub.40%, and V.sub.20%, and determine in which of the ranges of
0% to 20%, 20% to 40%, 40% to 80%, and 80% to 100% the duty ratio
of the first control signal Sig1 is included. The output S.sub.41
of the first comparator COMP1 becomes a high level when
V.sub.DUTY1>V.sub.80%. The output S.sub.42 of the second
comparator COMP2 becomes a high level when
V.sub.DUTY1>V.sub.40%. The third comparator COMP3 has the
opposite logic, and the output S.sub.43 thereof becomes a high
level when V.sub.DUTY1<V.sub.20%.
[0105] Hereinafter, the operation of the control unit 302 will be
described for each range of the duty ratio of the first control
signal Sig1.
(1) 0%<Duty.ltoreq.20% (a third light-on mode)
[0106] In this case, the output signal S.sub.43 of the third
comparator COMP3 becomes a high level. The signal S.sub.43 acts on
the charging circuit 374 of the dimming circuit 370 so as to reduce
the charging current amount to the capacitor 372. As a result, the
rising rate of the voltage V.sub.SS becomes slower.
(2) 20%<Duty.ltoreq.40% (a second light-on mode)
[0107] Both the output signals S.sub.42 and S.sub.43 of the second
comparator COMP2 and the third comparator COMP3 are at low levels.
A logic gate 364 turns on a first switch 362 when both the signals
S.sub.42 and S.sub.43 are at low levels. The logic gate 364 may be
a NOR gate.
[0108] The filter 360 causes the output of the second input buffer
352 to become dull. The output of the filter 360 acts on the input
of the buffer 380 via a resistor R.sub.61. When the duty ratio of
the second control signal Sig2 is a constant value of 80% or more,
the output of the filter 360 becomes a high level. In this state,
the output of the filter 360 does not affect the input of the
buffer 380, and the target value I.sub.REF is dominated by the
output V.sub.SS of the dimming circuit 370.
[0109] When the duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2 is a
constant value of 20% or less, the output of the filter 360 becomes
a low level. R.sub.61<R.sub.62 is established, and the input
voltage of the buffer 380 is set such that an output side of the
filter 360, which is a low level, is given priority over the output
signal V.sub.SS of the dimming circuit 370. As a result, the target
value I.sub.REF, which is the output of the buffer 380, becomes
zero, and the light source 202 is turned off.
[0110] When the duty ratio of the second control signal Sig2 is
changed at Duty1 (<20%) and Duty2 (>80%) at a predetermined
cycle, the output of the filter 360 slowly goes back and forth
between the low level and the high level. As a result, the light
source 202 may be flickered.
(3) 40%<Duty.ltoreq.80% (a first light-on mode)
[0111] The output S.sub.42 of the second comparator COMP2 becomes a
high level. As a result, the solenoid drive circuit 316 becomes
active, the actuator 206 becomes energized, and the first light-on
mode is established.
(4) 80%<Duty (instantaneous light-off)
[0112] The output S.sub.41 of the first comparator COMP1 becomes a
high level. As a result, the second switch 378 is on, the output
V.sub.SS of the dimming circuit 370 becomes zero instantaneously,
and the light source 202 is turned off.
[0113] In FIG. 10, the output of the filter 360 is a flickering
cycle signal, which may be associated with the light-on/light-off
instruction signal S.sub.3 in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 10, the output
of the logic gate 364 is a signal for setting a road surface
marking mode, which may be associated with the mode control signals
in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0114] It is understood that the configuration of the control unit
302 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 10, and that there
are various modifications. For example, the control unit 302 may be
configured by a digital circuit, or the same function may be
implemented by software control.
[0115] A combination of the plurality of light-on modes is not
limited to that described in the embodiment. When there are a
plurality of light-on modes for the light source unit for the low
beam or the high beam, the above-described technique may be applied
to the control.
[0116] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein
are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit
being indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *